Dispenser for sequentially dispensing rolls of tissue and the like



June 11, 1968 J PERRlN ET AL 3,387,902

DISPENSER FOR SEQUENTIALLY DISPENSING ROLLS OF TISSUE AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 3. 1967 lA/VEA/TOES JACK L. PEER/N, COUNC/L A. TUCKER MAHUNEY & HORNBAKER A 7'TORNEY5 June 1968 J. PERRIN ETAL 3,387,902

DISPENSER FOR SEQUENTIALLY DISPENSING ROLLS OF TISSUE AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 5, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F16. 5. L94 F16. 6. 34 1a 22 34 2a 4a 44 Z4 7/5 INVENTUES JACK L. PEER/N, L34 CbuA/c/L A. TIC/(ER J1me 1968 J. L. PERRIN ETAL 3,387,902

DISPENSER FOR SEQUENTIALLY DISPENSING ROLLS OF TISSUE AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 5, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet a FIG. 6. 30 //6\ F 9.

24 1 94 ma M5 //6 $2 M0 M2 //2 m4 m4 M6 94 /04 //a 1 //4 l I 32 /0.2 92 l [/4 w //4 ma A '1,- L 92 95 4 1 E26. /NI ENTORS JA or L. PERR/N, CouA/c/L A. TUCKER MAHOA/E) 6r HORNE/1K5? ArroxeA/zys June 11, 1968 J. L. PERRIN ETAL 3,387,902 DISPENSER FOR SEQUENTIALLY DISPENSING ROLLS OF TISSUE AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 5, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNl/EA/ 702's JAcK PEER/Al, Cou/vc/z. A1. 72/0052 MA /alum d: HOENBd/(EQ ATTaQA/EYS United States Patent 3,387,902 DISPENSER FGR fiEQUENTIALLY DISPENSING RQLLS 0F TISSUE AND THE LIKE lack L. Perrin, Los Angeles, and Council A. Tucker, Glendaie, Calif, assignors to Towlsaver, Inc, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Caiifornia Filed .ian. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 606,840 24 Claims. (Cl. 312-39) This invention relates to a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue and the like wherein one roll of tissue is originally presented in a dispensing position, while the other is presented in a nondispensing position, and upon the consumption of said one roll, said other roll is movable from its nondispensing to a dispensing position. More particularly, this invention relates to a dispenser of the foregoing type preferably including detection means for detecting the consumption of the first used roll of tissue and automatically, upon said detection of said consumption, moving said other or reserve roll into its dispensing position, all of which may be incorporated with a novel roll holder assembly and a novel roll holder mounting structure, according to certain of the principles of the present invention.

Two basic types of prior dispensers for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue have been provided, one in which the rolls of tissue are mounted on separate and independently, slidably movable roll holders, and the other in which a pair of roll holders are mounted on a pivotally movable roll holder assembly. In the first instance, the separate roll holders have usually been mounted in some form of housing, with ends of said roll holders engaged in track means for guiding the individual slidable movement of said roll holders along the housing in order to present the rolls of tissue in the various dispensing and nondispensing positions, and accomplish the change of such positions. Where the roll holders are included in a pivotal roll holder assembly, said assembly has usually been pivotally mounted on a housing for extending one of the rolls of tissue from the housing in a dispensing position, while maintaining the other roll of tissue within the housing in a nondispensing position, the roll holder assembly pivoting to reverse the roll holder positioning relative to the housing when the first roll of tissue is consumed, and thereby presenting the reserve roll in the dispensing position.

Dispensers of the general character herein involved are used in commercial and institutional environments and are normally serviced once or twice a day for properly maintaining the rolls of tissue dispensed thereby replenished. Thus, the usual procedure is for maintenance personnel to make the rounds of the various dispensers at predetermined intervals, replacing consumed rolls of tissue and repositioning partially consumed rolls of tissue. One of the obvious advantages of using dispensers adapted for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue is that more than a single roll of tissue is provided at each location so that the foregoing maintenance need be less frequent, while still assuring a proper supply of tissue at all times.

Such servicing intervals are, of course, determined so that in most of the dispensers being serviced, the initial dispensed roll will be completely consumed and the reserve roll wiil be in the process of consumption. With the prior dispensers discussed, whether of the separate, slidably movable roll holder type, or the pivotal roll holder assem bly type, and assuming that the most usual situation will be prevalent wherein the originally dispensed roll has been consumed and the reserve roll is in the process of being consumed, it is necessary during the servicing operation to remove the partially consumed roll from the reserve roll holder and replace the same on the first dis- "ice pensing roll holder, with a new roll of tissue then being placed on the reserve roll holder. Although such required servicing operation is relatively time consuming, it is obviously necessary in order that the advantages of the multiple roll dispensers will not be completely frustrated.

It is, therefore, an object of our invention to provide a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a. plurality of rolls of tissue of the foregoing general character wherein a roll holder assembly, including at least two spaced roll holders, is slidable as an integral unit in a housing Wherein one roll of tissue supported on said assembly is initially presented in a dispensing position, while another roll of tissue is presented in a reserve, nondispensing position when said assembly is in a first position, said assembly being movable upon the consumption of said one roll for moving said reserve roll to a dispensing position. Furthermore, detecting means may be provided operably with said roll holder assembly for detecting said one roll consumption and automatically releasing latch means for movement of the roll holder assembly from its first to its second position. With the prior constructions hereinbefore described, where separate, independently movable roll holders are provided, it is necessary to incorporate control means with each of the separate prior roll holders in order to accomplish proper movement thereof, while in the dispenser according to the Present invention, the roll holder assembly movement being unitary may obviously be controlled by greatly simplified control means, thereby greatly simplifying the overall construction.

It is another object of our invention to provide a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue of the foregoing character wherein the roll holder assembly is mounted for said unitary slidable movement through track means formed on sidewalls of the dispenser housing, yet the housing forming said track means and said support may be of greatly simplified form and fabricated more economically, while still efliciently providing the necessary support. Due to a unique integration of housing metal and plastic parts, it is possible to form the major portion of the dispenser sidewalls from plastic and the intricately configured track means formed directly in said plastic sidewalls, while still providing the necessary assured alignment and strength for properly movably supporting the roll holder assembly to assure eflicient and proper functioning of the dispenser. Thus, the housing sidewalls may be relatively economically produced as plastic moldings, will present an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance, while still reducing the overall fabrication cost of the dispenser construction.

It is still another object of our invention to provide a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue of the foregoing character wherein the detection of roll consumption may be of the roll split core type so as to be positive in operation and of maximum simplified form. The latch means for retaining the roll holder assembly in its first position and releasable for permitting movement of said roll holder assembly to its second position may, furthermore, be associated directly with said roll split core detection so that complicated interconnecting arms and levers are not required. The combined detection means and latch means is, therefore, positively operable and may be economically provided for relatively foolproof functioning.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue of the foregoing general character wherein the integrated roll holder assembly is slidably removable from the housing as a unit so as to greatly simplify the roll replenishing maintenance operations. By removal of the roll' holder assembly completely free of and remote from the housing, the roll holders are readily and freely accessible for the roll changing or mounting operations.

3 The reinsertion of the filled roll holder assembly into the dispenser housing is equally simplified, not requiring special skills or knowledge.

It is still another object of our invention to provide a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue of the foregoing general character wherein, not only is the roll holder assembly slidably removable from the dispenser housing as a unit for the efficient carrying out of the maintenance operations, but also the roll holder assembly is end for end reversible, that is, said roll holder assembly may be reinserted into the dispenser housing with either end being the leading end thereof and either roll holder being the leading roll holder thereof. As a result, with the dispenser of the present invention, it is never necessary to remove a partially consumed roll of tissue from one roll holder and replace it on the other roll holder, but rather, the entire maintenance operation is merely the replacement of the fully consumed roll so as to even further greatly reduce the maintenance operation time required. As an example of the maintenance operation sequence, the roll holder assembly is slidably removed from the dispenser housing, the fully consumed roll of tissue is replaced, the roll holder assembly is reversed end for end so as to place the roll holder containing the partially consumed roll of tissue in the leading position, and the roll holder assembly is slidably reinserted in the housing, placing said partially consumed roll in a dispensing position and said replenished roll in the reserve, nondispensing position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view taken along the broken line 22 in FIG. 1 and showing the roll holder assembly of the dispenser in a first position wherein the initially dispensed roll of tissue is in the dispensing position and the reserve roll of tissue is in a nondispensing position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the roll holder assembly in a second position wherein the initially dispensed roll of tissue is fully consumed and the reserve roll of tissue has been moved to a dispensing position, the dispenser cover being shown partially opened and in fragmentary;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along the broken line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the broken line 55 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the broken. line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal, sectional view taken along the broken line 77 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of the roll holder assembly removed from the dispenser housing and with the roll holders free of rolls of tissue;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the roll holder assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken along the broken line 16-10 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal, sectional view taken from FIG. 7 and more clearly showing the cooperable engagement between one of the roll holder projecting end portions and one of the dispenser housing tracks for guiding movement of the roll holder assembly within said housing;

FIG. 12 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the broken line 1212 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the broken line 13-13 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded view similar to FIG. 7, but

with the roll holder assembly removed and more clearly illustrating the dispenser housing construction.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue incorporating the principles of the present inven tion is generally indicated at 20 and includes a housing, generally indicated at 22, and a completely separable roll holder assembly, generally indicated at 24. The housing 22 is formed by a generally longitudinally extending, metal trough 26 which is generally U-shaped in transverse cross section defining a U-shaped, longitudinally extending trough opening 28, a left-hand, plastic side panel 30, a right-hand, plastic side panel 32 and a metal cover 34. The plastic side panels 30 and 32 are secured longitudinally parallel and covering outer surfaces of trough legs 36 and 38, respectively, said side panels being maintained transversely spaced by a trough connecting portion 40, and the cover 34 is pivotally mounted at front edges 42 of the side panels 39 and 32 for selective movement to a closed position closing the upper end of the housing 22.

The combination of the cover 34 in the closed position, the trough 26 and the side panels 30 and 32, therefore, defines a substantially forwardly closed, upper housing section 44, and the combination of the trough 26 and the side panels 30 and 32 defines a forwardly open, lower housing section 46. Furthermore, housing upper end 48 is normally longitudinally closed by the cover 34 in the cover closed position, while housing lower end 59 is permanently longitudinally open. The cover 34 may be provided with a usual lock 52 for locking the same in the closed position and the trough connection portion 49 may be provided with usual fastener openings 54 for securing the housing 22 to a wall surface.

The housing side panels 30 and 32 are formed with transversely inwardly opening and transversely aligned track means extending generally longitudinally thereof, the left side panel 36 having a narrower track 56 and the right side panel 32 having a wider track 58. The track 56 of the left side panel 36 has an open upper end 60 at the cover 34 and a closed lowerend 62 adjacent the housing lower end 50, while the track 58 of the right side panel 32 similarly has an open upper end 64 and a closed lower end 66 at the same locations. Both of the tracks 56 and 58 in the transverse alignment thereof extend longitudinally from the open upper ends 60 and 64 angling slightly rearwardly and then straight downwardly, and finally, angle more sharply rearwardly to the closed lower ends 62 and 66.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, l2 and 13, the left and right trough legs 36 and 38 extend forwardly only a part of the left and right side panels 30 and 32. Important to certain of the principles of the present invention is the fact that front edge 68 on the left trough leg 36 partially forwardly overlaps the track 56 of. the left side panel 30 throughout the intermediate straight and lower rearwardly angled portions of said track for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Front edge 70 of the right trough leg 38 does not project forwardly over any part of the track 58 on the right side panel 32.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 13, a generally triangularly configured antireverse latch 72 is pivotally mounted on the right side panel 32 spaced forwardly of the track 58 within the upper housing section 44. Said antireverse latch 72 is formed with an integral projection 74 adapted for engagement by a projecting edge 76 of the cover 34 when the cover is pivoted to a fully opened position relative to the housing side panels 30 and 32 so as to completely upwardly open the normally closed housing upper end 48. As is obvious from the positioning shown, the result of the engagement between the cover projecting edge 76 and the latch projection 74 during the opening movement of the cover 34 is to pivot the antireverse latch 72 a limited amount in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 2, 3 and 13, whereas, when the cover is in fully closed position to close off the housing upper end 48, as shown in FIG. 2, or even when the cover is partially open, but the projecting edge thereof has not yet contacted the antireverse latch, as shown in FIG. 3, the antireverse latch will remain in a normal, nonpivoted position against a transversely projecting ledge 78 formed on the right side panel 32.

Referring to FlGS. 2 through 6, a leaf-type latch spring 80 is secured to the housing right side panel 32 forwardly adjacent the track 58 at the lower rearwardly angled portion of said track. Latch spring 80 includes a free lower end 82 resiliently urged transversely away from the housing right side panel 32 and said movement away from said panel being limited by engagement of an integral end projection 84 of the spring lower end 82 in a transverse recess 86 of a transversely projecting latch stop 88 formed on the right side panel 32. A generally hook-shaped cross section, forwardly open and downwardly-rearwardly angled guide 90 is formed on the right side panel 32 and projects transversely from said panel adjacent the latch spring 30 and the latch stop 88, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. All of the latch spring 80, the latch stop 88 and the guide 90 are for the purpose of controlling the movement of the roll holder assembly 24 within the housing 22, as are the previously described housing side panel tracks 56 and 53 and the housing antireverse latch 72, the functioning thereof to be hereinafter described.

As shown positioned in the housing 22 in FIGS. 1 through 7 and separate therefrom in FIGS. 8 through 10, the roll holder assembly 24 includes a U-shaped, metal yoke 92 supporting end for end substantially identical roll holders generally indicated at 94 and 96. The roll holders 94 and 96 are supported by the yoke 92 longitudinally parallel and longitudinally spaced through a right-hand roll holder frame 93 so that grooved yoke end portions 100 and 102 actually constitute the left-hand ends of the roll holders, whereas the roll holder frame actually constitutes the right-hand ends of the roll holders. Thus, the grooved yoke end portions 100 and 162 form left-hand end projections for the roll holders 94 and 96, and projections 104 and 105 of the roll holder frame 93 form right-hand projections for said roll holders, all of which are transverse projections.

Each of the roll holders 94 and 96 includes a cylindrical mandrel 103 having an enlarged portion 110 and a reduced portion 112, and a longitudinally pivotal sleeve 114 having a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced and aligned latch engagement legs 116. The roll holder mandrels 108 are telescoped over transverse yoke parts 118, with the mandrel reduced portions 112 secured to the roll holder frame 93, said roll holder frame lying along a longitudinal yoke part 120, as shown. Further, the mandrels 198 are axially retained on the transverse yoke parts 118 by keepers 122 engaged in grooves 124 and abutting spring Washers 126, which in turn axially abut portions of the mandrels 108.

The roll holder sleeves 114 are axially telescoped over the mandrel reduced portions 112 and are pivotally engaged with the roll holder frame 98 for longitudinal, pivotal movement relative to the remainder of the roll holder assembly 24, at best seen in FIGS. 8 and 10. Leaf-type roll holder springs 128 are secured to the roll holder frame 98 and internally resiliently engage the roll holder sleeves 114 so as to normally resiliently urge said sleeves into substantial axial alignment with the mandrel enlarged portions 110, as shown in full lines in FIG. 8, and during which the sleeve latch engagement legs 116 transversely overlie and are generally longitudinally aligned with oppositely longitudinally depending ends 130 of the roll holder frame 98. Due to the pivotal attachment of the roll holder sleeves 114 to the roll holder frame 98, however, a transverse force against any of the sleeve latch engagement legs 116 suflicient to overcome the roll holder springs 128 will cause said sleeves to pivot longitudinally, either of said sleeves pivoting in a longitudinal direction toward the other of the roll holders 94 or 96, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 8, during which pivoting the sleeve latch engagement legs pivot transversely to the left away from the longitudinally depending ends 130 of the roll holder frame 98, all for an important purpose to be hereinafter described.

The roll holder frame 98 is further provided with oppositely forwardly and rearwardly depending, generally triangular stabilizers 132 which are endwise identically positioned relative to the respective roll holders 94 and 96, as particularly well seen in FIG. 9. Further-more, in the overall roll holder assembly 24, the roll holders 94 and 96 and the roll holder frame 98 may be formed of molded plastic, whereas the yoke 92, as previously mentioned, is preferably formed of metal.

Rolls of tissue, generally indicated at 134, to be dispensed by the dispenser 20 of the present invention are formed with split cores 136, best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, said split cores being maintained in axially assembled condition by wrapped tissue 138 of said rolls. Also, it will be noted in FIG. 5 that the split of the cores 136 occurs axially between the mandrel enlarged portions 110 and the sleeves 114 of the roll holders 94 and 96, such being required for the proper functioning of the dispenser 20, as will be hereinafter described.

In use of the dispenser 20 of the present invention, the roll holder assembly 24 is filled with rolls of tissue 134 separate from the housing 22, said rolls of tissue being axially slid over the roll holders 94 and 96, with the split cores 136 thereof engaged over and supported on said roll holders. As previously described, with the tissue 138 wrapped over the split cores 136 of the rolls of tissue 134, said split cores will be maintained assembled and will retain the mandrel enlarged portions 110 and the sleeves 114 of the roll holders 94 and 96 axially aligned with the sleeve latch engagement legs 116 overlying and longitudinally aligned with the longitudinally depending ends 130 of the roll holder frame 98. Furthermore, during the mounting of the rolls of tissue 134 on the roll holders 94 and 96, the roll holder sleeves 114 will be retained axially aligned, rather than pivoted, relative to the mandrel enlarged portions 110 thereof by the roll holder springs 128 so that said rolls of tissue may be easily slipped over the roll holders 94 and 96.

At this point, the filled roll holder assembly 24 is ready for insertion into the housing 22, which is accomplished merely by opening the housing cover 34 and sliding the roll holder assembly, either end first, into the housing tracks 56 and S8, with the roll holder projections or yoke end parts 100 and 102 in the narrower track 56 and the roll holder projections 104 and 106 in the housing wider track 58. As the roll holder assembly slides downwardly into the housing 22 along the tracks 56 and 58, the forward of the latch engagement legs 116 on the sleeve 114 on the leading of the roll holders, say the roll holder 96, will transversely depress the latch spring and come to rest supported on the latch stop 88, as shown and in the position of FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. At the same time, as the particular latch engagement leg 116 of the roll holder 96 comes into engagement with the latch stop 88, that longitudinally depending end 130 of the roll holder assembly 24 will slide behind the housing guide 90, assuring proper transverse alignment of the roll holder assembly 24 with the housing 22.

It will also be noted that as the roll holder assembly 24 slides downwardly within the housing 22 along the tracks 56 and 58, and as the roll holders 94 and 96 enter the straight portions of said tracks, the left-hand roll holder projections, as viewed in FIG. 5, that is, the grooved yoke end portions and 102, will be transversely trapped within the housing track 56 'by the front edge 68 on the housing left trough leg 36, engaging forwardly in the grooved yoke end portions 100 and 102. The metal housing trough 26 will, therefore, prevent any possibility of transverse spreading of the housing plastic side panels 30 and 32, making possible the formation of the housing tracks 56 and 58 with the relatively complicated configuration thereof in the plastic side panels 30 and 32. In this manner, the more economically formed plastic side panels 30 and 32 of the housing 22 will provide proper functioning for the overall construction, and as well provide the aesthetically pleasing outside appearance possible with said side panels 30 and 32.

With the roll holder assembly 24 received in the housing 22 and positioned as described, the housing cover 34 may be closed and the dispenser 20 is ready for the dispensing of the first roll of tissue 134. The first, or lowermost, roll of tissue 134 is in the dispensing position, whereas the second, or uppermost, roll of tissue 134 is in the reserve or nondispensing position, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Furthermore, with the housing cover 34 closed, the antireverse latch 72 will be released from the cover projecting edge 76 so that the latch will pivot to lie against the housing ledge 78 and overlie the uppermost of the roll holder frame stabilizers 132 of the roll holder assembly 24, as best seen in hidden lines in FIG. 2. Any attempt to slide the roll holder assembly 24 upwardly in the housing 22 will, therefore, be blocked by the engagement of the housing antireverse latch 72 with the roll holder assembly stabilizer 132.

With the first, or lowermost, roll of tissue 134 in the dispensing position and the second, or uppermost, roll of tissue 134 in the reserve or nondispensing position, as described, the first roll of tissue may be used in the conventional manner and upon the complete use of the wrapped tissue 13S completely exposing or freeing the split cores 136, the housing latch spring 80 bearing transversely against the sleeve latch engagement leg 116 engaged with the housing latch stop 38 will overcome the lesser resilient force of the roll holder spring 128 of the roll holder 96, thereby pivoting the roll holder sleeve 114 relative to the roll holder mandrel 108 in the manner illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 8. The pivoting of the sleeve 114 of the roll holder 96 by the housing latch spring 80 will force the sleeve latch engagement leg 116 transversely off of the housing latch stop 88, freeing the roll holder assembly 24 for further movement downwardly along the housing tracks 56 and 68. In the particular form of the dispenser 20 illustrated, such downward move ment of the roll holder assembly 24 is purely by gravity, as caused by the weight of the roll holder assembly and the remaining roll of tissue 134 thereon.

Downward movement of the roll holder assembly 24 along the housing tracks 56 and 58 will continue until the various of the lowermost roll holder projections, that is, the yoke end portion 102 and the projection 106, reach the track closed lower ends 62 and 66. Such repositioning of the roll holder assembly 24 will place the lowermost roll holder 96 in an exhausted position and the roll holder 94 in a dispensing position, with the remaining roll of tissue 134 exposed below the lower edge of the housing cover 34 ready for use of the wrapped tissue 138, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. As the roll holder assembly 24 moves downwardly to such lowermost position, the forward of the latch engagement legs 116 on the roll holder sleeve 114 of the roll holder 94 will engage with the housing antireverse latch 72, pivoting said latch counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, until said roll holder 94 has passed downwardly by the antireverse latch, at which time, said antireverse latch will repivot clockwise purely by gravity to re-engage the housing ledge 78 and overlie the forward of the latch engagement legs 116 on the roll holder 94, thereby blocking the entire roll holder assembly 24 from being moved back upwardly along the housing tracks 56 and 58 and assuring the maintaining of the unused roll of tissue 134 in the dispensing position described.

At some time during the use of the uppermost roll of tissue 134 on the roll holder 94, the time for maintenance of the dispenser 20 will arrive and the servicing personnel will merely unlock and open the housing cover 34, pivoting said cover to the open position. The pivoting of the housing cover 34 to the open position will cause the cover projecting edge 76 to engage the projection 74 on the antireverse latch 72, pivoting said antireverse latch in the counterclockwise position, as viewed in FIG. 3, so that the roll holder assembly 24 will no longer be blocked against upward movement along the housing tracks 56 and 53. The entire unitary roll holder assembly 24 may, therefore, be slid upwardly and outwardly of the housing 22 to be serviced remote from said housing.

At this point, the roll holder assembly 24 will be in the condition of having a partially used roll of tissue 134 on the upper roll holder 94 and a completely exhausted roll of tissue, that is, merely the split cores 136, on the lower roll holder 96. The servicing operation is carried out by merely reversing the roll holder assembly .24 end for end, removing the split cores 136 from the roll holder 96 and sliding thereupon a new roll of tissue 134. The roll holder assembly 24 is then re-inserted into the housing 22, with the roll holder 94 in the lower position containing the partially used roll of tissue 134 and the roll holder 96 in the upper position containing a completely new roll of tissue 134.

In view of the roll holder 94 containing the partially used roll of tissue 134 so that a certain amount of wrapped tissue 138 will retain the split cores 136 thereof assembled, the roll holder 94 will be in the previously described latching condition for engagement with the housing latch stop 88, also as previously described. The roll holder 94 will, therefore, now be positioned in a dispensing position and the roll holder 96 will be positioned in the reserve, nondispensing position. Upon the partially used roll of tissue 134 on the roll holder 94 being completely consumed, the unlatchin'g and downward movement of the roll holder assembly 24 will again be repeated for placing the now lower roll holder 94 in the exhausted position and the new upper roll holder 96 in the dispensing position.

According to the principles of the present invention, we have provided a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue wherein a unitary roll holder assembly 24 is slidably received in the housing 22 for originally presenting the rolls of tissue 134, one in a dispensing position and the other in a reserve, nondispensing position. Furthermore, upon the exhaustion of the first roll of tissue, latch means is automatically released by split core detection and the roll holder assembly automatically moves slidably downwardly within the housing 22, placing the previously dispensing roll holder 96 in the roll exhausted position and placing the roll holder 94, previously in the nondispensing position, in a dispensing position. At the same time, forservicing of the dispenser 20, the roll holder assembly 24 can be completely removed from the housing 22 and during such servicing, it is unnecessary to switch the original rolls of tissue 134, but rather, it is merely necessary to reverse the roll holder assembly end for end, placing the partially exhausted roll of tissue 134 ready for insertion in the housing in a dispensing position and a new roll of tissue 134, replacing the completely exhausted roll, ready for positioning in the reserve, nondispensing position, thereby greatly simplifying the servicing operation.

We claim:

1. In a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue and the like, the combination of: a support; a unitary roll holder assembly including a frame, first and second roll holders on said frame adapted for supporting rolls of tissue thereon; mounting means operably associated between said roll holder assembly and said support locating said roll holder assembly on said support in one position in which said first roll holder is in a dispensing position and said second roll holder is in a nondispensing position and slidable as a unit to another position in which said first roll holder is in an exhausted position and said second roll holder is in a dispensing poF-ition; and latch means operably associated with said roll holder assembly normally retaining said assembly in said one position and releasable for movement of said assembly to said other position.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 in which detecting means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly for detecting consumption of said roll on said first roll holder and releasing said latch means upon detecting said consumption.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting means includes track means operably engaged with said roll holder assembly for slidable movement of said assembly along said track means between said assembly positions.

4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting means includes lock means operably associated with said roll holder assembly permitting said movement of said assembly from said one to said other position and and preventing reverse movement of said assembly from said other reversely to said one position upon said assembly once being moved to said other position.

5. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 in Which said frame of said roll holder assembly includes a U-shaped frame member having spaced parallel ends, said roll holders being mounted on said frame member ends.

6. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting means includes aligned tracks on said support operably engaged with said roll holder assembly at opposite ends of said roll holders mounting said assembly slidable relative to said support.

7. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 in which said roll supported on said first roll holder includes a core maintained assembled by said tissue of said roll and being separable upon the consumption of said tissue; and in which detecting means is operably associated with said first roll holder for detecting consumption of said roll and separating said core thereof, said detecting means upon said core separation releasing said latch means for slidable movement of said roll holder assembly to said other position.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim l in which said mounting means includes track means on said support operably engaging said roll holder assembly for mount ing said assembly with said second roll holder vertically above said first roll holder and said assembly slidable along said track means by gravity from said one to said other assembly position; and in which detecting means is operably associated with said first roll holder for detecting consumption of said roll on said first roll holder and upon said detecting of said consumption releasing said latch means for said slidable movement of said roll holder assembly along said track means.

9. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting means includes track means on said support operably engaging said roll holder assembly for mounting said assembly with said second roll holder vertically above said first roll holder and said assembly slidable aong said track means by gravity from said one to said other assem bly position; in which said roll on said first roll holder includes a core maintained assembled by said tissue and being separable upon the consumption of said tissue; and in Which detecting means is operably associated with said first roll holder for detecting said consumption of said roll and separating said core thereof, said detecting means upon said core separation releasing said latch means for said slidable movement of said assembly along said track means between said assembly positions.

10. In a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue and the like, the combination of: a support; a unitary roll holder assembly including a frame, first and second roll holders on said frame adapted for supporting rolls of tissue thereon; mounting means operably associated between said roll holder assembly and said support locating said roll holder assembly on said support in one position in which said first roll holder is in a dispensing position and said second roll holder is in a nondispensing position and slidable as a unit to another position in which said first roll holder is in an exhausted position and said second roll holder is in a dispensing position, said mounting means including means permitting selective complete removal of said roll holder assembly as a unit from said support; and latch means operably associated with said roll holder assembly normally retaining said assembly in said one position and releasable for movement of said assembly to said other position.

11. A dispenser as defined in claim It in which said mounting means includes means slidably mounting said roll holder assembly on said support for slidable movement of said assembly as a unit along said support upon release of said latch means.

12. A dispenser as defined in claim 16 in which detecting means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly for detecting consumption of said roll of said first roll holder and releasing said latch means upon detecting said consumption.

13. A dispenser as defined in claim it in which said mounting means includes track means on said support operably connected to said roll holder assembly and mounting said assembly slidable as a unit along said track means between said assembly position, said assembly being slidable as a unit along said track means during said complete removal of said assembly as a unit from said support.

14. A dispenser as defined in claim 10 in Which said mounting means includes track means on said support operably connected to said roll holder assembly and mounting said assembly slidable as a unit along said track means between said assembly positions, said assembly be ing slidable as a unit along said track means during said complete removal of said assembly as a unit from said support, lock means on said support operably associated With said roll holder assembly normally permitting said assembly slidable movement along said track means from said one to said other position and preventing reverse slidable movement of said assembly from said other position reversely toward said one position upon said assembly being moved to said other position; and in which said support includes a housing partially covering said roll holder assembly and having opening means therein determining said second roll holder nondispensing and dispensing positions, a pivotal cover on said housing block said complete removal of said roll holder assembly from said support in a closed position and being free of blocking said removal in an open position, means operably associated with said housing cover for moving said lock means to a nonlocking position upon said cover being moved to said open position, said lock means in said nonlocking position permitting reverse slidable movement of said roll holder assembly along said track means from said housing.

15. In a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue and the like, the combination of: a support; a first roll holder adapted for mounting a roll of tissue and the like, said roll having a core maintained assembled by said tissue and separable upon the consumption of said tissue; a second roll holder adapted for mounting a roll of tissue and the like; mounting means locating said first roll holder on said support with said roll in a dispensing position and slidable to a roll consumed position, said mounting means locating said second roll holder on said support with said roll in a nondispensing position and slidable to place said roll in a dispensing position; latch means normally retaining said first roll holder in said roll dispensing position and said second roll holder in said roll nondispensing position, said latch means being releasable for slidable movement of said first roll holder to said roll consumed position and said second roll holder to said roll dispensing position; and detecting means operably associated with said first roll holder for detecting consumption of said roll and separating said core thereof, said detecting means upon said core separation releasing said latch means for slidable movement of said first roll holder to said roll consumed 1 1 position and slidable movement of said second roll holder to said drill dispensing position.

16;. In a dispenser adapted for supporting a plurality of. rolls of tissue and the like, the combination of: a support; a unitary roll holder assembly including a frame having spaced ends, first and second roll holders on said frame ends adapted for supporting rolls of tissue thereon, said assembly of said frame and roll holders being end for end substantially identical; and mounting means operably associated between said roll holder assembly and support locating said roll holder assembly on said support selectively completely removable as a unit from said sup port, said mounting means being adapted for permitting end for end reversibility of said roll holder assembly when removed from said support and replacement of said roll holder assembly on said support with said first roll holder in the former position of said second roll holder and said second roll holder in the former position of said first roll holder.

17. A dispenser as defined in claim 16 in which said mounting means includes means mounting said roll holder assembly on said support movable between first and second positions, said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder being in a dispensing position and said roll holder in the position of said second roll holder being in a nondispensing position when said roll holder assembly is in said assembly first position, said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder being in a roll consumed position and said roll holder in the position of said second roll holder being in a dispensing position when said roll holder assembly is moved to said assembly second position; in which latch means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly normally retaining said assembly in said assembly first position and being releasable for permitting movement of said assembly to said assembly second position; and in which detecting means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly for detecting consumption of said roll of said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder and releasing said latch means upon the detection of said consumption for movement of said assembly from said assembly first position to said assembly second position.

18. A dispenser as defined in claim 16 in which said mounting means includes track means slidably mounting said roll holder assembly on said support slidably completely removable as a unit from said support and slidably movable on said support between first and second assembly positions, said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder being in a dispensing position and said roll holder in the position of said second roll holder being in a nondispensing position when said assembly is in said first assembly position, said roll holder in said first roll holder position being in a roll consumed position and said roll holder in said second roll holder position being in a dispensing position when said assembly is in said second assembly position; in which latch means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly normally retaining said assembly in said first assembly position and releasable for slidable movement of said assembly along said track means to said second assembly position; and in which detecting means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly for detecting consumption of said roll on said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder when said assembly is in said first assembly position and releasing said latch means for slidable movement of said assern ly along said track means to said second assembly position.

19. A dispenser as defined in claim 16 in which said rolls of tissue to be supported by said first and second roll holders have cores maintained assembled by said tissue and separable upon the consumption of said tissue; in which said mounting means includes track means slidably mounting said roll holder assembly on said support slidably completely removable as a unit from said support and slid-ably movable on said support between first and 12 second assembly positions, said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder being in a dispensing position and said roli holder in the position of said second roll holder being in a nondispensing position when said assembly is in said first assembly position, said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder being in a roll consumed position and said roll holder in the position of said second roll holder being in a dispensing position when said assembly is in said second assembly position; in which latch means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly normally retaining said assembly in said first assembly position and releasable for slidable movement of said assembly along said track means to said second assembly position; and in which detecting means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly for detecting consumption of said roll on said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder when said assembly is in said first assembly position and separating said roll core upon detecting said roll consumption, said detecting means upon said roll separation releasing said assembly for slidable movement along said track means to said second assembly position.

20. A dispenser as defined in claim 16 in which said rolls of tissue supported on said first and second roll holders have cores maintained assembled by said tissue and separable upon the consumption of said tissue; in which said mounting means includes track means slidably mounting said roll holder assembly on said support slidable in a rearward direction for said complete removing of said assembl as a unit from said support and slidable in a forward direction onto said support, said track means slidably mounting said assembly on said support movable between first and second assembly positions, said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder being in a dispensing position and said roll holder in the position of said second roll holder being in a nondispensing position when said assembly is in said first assembly position, said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder being in a roll consumed position and said roll holder in the position of said second roll holder being in a dispensing position when said assembly is in said second assembly position; in which latch means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly normally retaining said,

assembly in said first assembly position and releasable for slidable movement of said assembly along said track means in said forward direction to said second assembly position; in which detecting means is operably associated with said roll holder assembly for detecting consumption of said roll on said roll holder in the position of said first roll holder when said assembly is in said first assembly position and separating said roll core upon detecting said roll consumption, said detecting means upon said core separation releasing said latch means for said slidable movement of said roll-holder assembly in said forward direction to said second assembly position; and in which said support includes releasable lock means permitting slidable movement of said roll holder assembly along said track means in said forward direction and normally blocking slidable movement of said assembly along said track means in said rearward direction when said assembly has moved to said second assembly position, a

housing over said roll holder assembly when said assembly is on said support having opening means determining said roll holder dispensing and nondispensing positions, a cover pivotally mounted on said housing selectively pivotal to an open position permitting slidable movement of said assembly along said track means in said rearward direction and for said complete removal of said assembly from said support, said housing cover having means operably associated therewith for releasing said lock means upon said cover being moved to said open position to permit said slidable movement of said assembly along said track means in said rearward direction from said assembly second position.

21. In a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of rolls of tissue and the like, the combination of: a support including a generally U-shaped cross section, metal trough having transversely spaced leg portions mounted on a transversely extending connecting portion, said trough leg portions terminating in outer edges, said trough leg and connecting portions defining a U-shaped cross section, generally longitudinally extending trough opening, plastic side members mounted on said trough leg portions and having outer edges extending beyond said leg portion outer edges, generally longitudinally extending track means on said side members adjacent said outer edges of said trough leg portions; and a unitary roll holder assembly including a frame, first and second roll holders on said frame adapted for supporting rolls of tissue thereon, transversely extending projection means engaged with said side member track means for mounting said roll holder assembly movable longitudinally along said side members and said trough leg portions with parts of said rolls of tissue received in and movable longitudinally along said trough opening.

'22. A dispenser as defined in claim 21 in which said support side members are mounted at outer sides of said support trough leg portions, said side member track means opening transversely inwardly over said outer edges of said trough leg portions, certain of said outer edges of said trough leg portions partially overlying said side member track means; and in which said projection means of said roll holder assembly are received transversely in and longitudinally movable along said side member track means, certain of said projection means being interengaged with said partially overlapping outer edges of said trough leg portions preventing transverse disengagement between said certain projection means and said track means.

23. A dispenser as defined in claim 21 in which said 3 opening transversely inwardly over said outer edges of said trough leg portions, certain of said outer edges of said trough leg portions partially overlying said side membcr track means; and in which said projection means of said roll holder assembly are received transversely in and longitudinally movable along said side member track means, certain of said projection means having longitudinally extending slots formed therein receiving said partially overlapping outer edges of said trough leg portions preventing transverse disengagement of said certain projection means from said side member track means.

24. A dispenser as defined in claim 21 in which said support side members are mounted at outer sides of said support trough leg portions, said side member track means opening transversely inwardly over said outer edges of said trough leg portions, certain of said outer edges of said trough leg portions partially overlying said side member track means; and in which said projection means of said roll holder assembly are received transversely in and longitudinally movable along said side member track means, certain of said projection means constituting roll holder end portions, said roll holder end portions having longitudinally extending slots formed therein receiving said partially overlapping outer edges of said trough leg portions preventing disengagement of said roll holder end portions transversely from said track means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,683,569 7/1954 Morse 242-553 3,335,973 8/1967 Genn 242-5553 3,295,900 1/1967 Kendall 31239 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

I. L. KOHNEN, Assistant Examiner. 

15. IN A DISPENSER FOR SEQUENTIALLY DISPENSING A PLURALITY OF ROLLS OF TISSUE AND THE LIKE, THE COMBINATION OF: A SUPPORT; A FIRST ROLL HOLDER ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING A ROLL OF TISSUE AND THE LIKE, SAID ROLL HAVING A CORE MAINTAINED ASSEMBLED BY SAID TISSUE AND SEPARABLE UPON THE CONSUMPTION OF SAID TISSUE; A SECOND ROLL HOLDER ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING A ROLL OF TISSUE AND THE LIKE; MOUNTING MEANS LOCATING SAID FIRST ROLL HOLDER ON SAID SUPPORT WITH SAID ROLL IN A DISPENSING POSITION AND SLIDABLE TO A ROLL CONSUMED POSITION, SAID MOUNTING MEANS LOATING SAID SECOND ROLL HOLDER ON SAID SUPPORT WITH SAID ROLL IN A NONDISPENSING POSITION AND SLIDABLE TO PLACE SAID ROLL IN A DISPENSING POSITION; LATCH MEANS NORMALLY RETAINING SAID FIRST ROLL HOLDER IN SAID ROLL DISPENSING POSITION AND SAID SECOND ROLL HOLDER IN SAID ROLL NONDISPENSING POSITION, SAID LATCH MEANS BEING RELEASABLE FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST ROLL HOLDER TO SAID ROLL CONSUMED POSITION AND SAID SECOND ROLL HOLDER TO SAID ROLL DISPENSING POSITION; AND DETECTING MEANS OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST ROLL HOLDER FOR DETECTING CONSUMPTION OF SAID ROLL AND SEPARATING SAID CORE THEREOF, SAID DETECTING MEANS UPON SAID CORE SEPARATION RELEASING SAID LATCH MEANS FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST ROLL HOLDER TO SAID ROLL CONSUMED POSITION AND SLIDABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND ROLL HOLDER TO SAID DRILL DISPENSING POSITION. 